Rural Indian landscape with rice paddies, a looming cobra, and a medical professional administering antivenom to a farmer.

Snakebite in India: Unveiling the Madras Crocodile Bank's Lifesaving Project

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Learn about the Madras Crocodile Bank's mission to mitigate snakebites in India through research, education, and antivenom accessibility."

Snakebite is a silent crisis in rural India, where numerous venomous snake species thrive in agricultural zones, creating frequent encounters with humans. Among the most dangerous are the 'Big Four': the spectacled cobra, Russell's viper, common krait, and saw-scaled viper. Bites from these snakes lead to significant morbidity and mortality.

While a polyvalent antivenom exists to treat these bites, its availability and public awareness remain insufficient. This gap in access and knowledge contributes to the high death toll from snakebites each year.

The Madras Crocodile Bank/Centre for Herpetology (MCB), along with its partners, is actively addressing this issue through a comprehensive snakebite mitigation project. Their work includes venom sampling and research, mapping snakebite treatment centers, and conducting nationwide awareness campaigns.

India's Snakebite Crisis: A Neglected Health Emergency

Rural Indian landscape with rice paddies, a looming cobra, and a medical professional administering antivenom to a farmer.

With an estimated 46,000 deaths annually, snakebite is a major public health issue in India. Herpetologists recognize the urgent need for action, driven by growing awareness among young naturalists who are eager to contribute to solutions.

In 1969, the Madras Snake Park was established to educate the public about snake identification and avoidance. The park teaches visitors how to recognize and avoid the relatively few snake species responsible for the majority of human fatalities, as well as physical deformities and mental traumas.

Education and Awareness: Rural outreach services target schools and community venues in the most affected Indian states.
Venom Sampling: Collaboration with the Gerry Martin Project and the Evolutionary Venomics Laboratory of the Indian Institute of Science aims to characterize venoms and test the efficacy of Indian antivenoms.
Mapping Snake Occurrences: Partnering with IndianSnakes.com to map the distribution of medically important snake species.
Identifying Treatment Centers: Locating clinics that stock antivenom and clinicians experienced in treating snakebites, ensuring 24/7 availability.

Since 2016, the MCB team, supported by USV Pharmaceuticals, Infosys Foundation, and Deshpande Foundation, has been carrying out a multipronged snakebite mitigation project consisting of:

A Call to Action: Joining the Fight Against Snakebite

Students, doctors, and wildlife activists are encouraged to connect with the Madras Crocodile Bank's snakebite mitigation project. The serious work is really only just beginning, and with the World Health Organization designating snakebite as an A-list Neglected Tropical Disease in 2017, we are optimistic that the time has come for both the Government of India and private players to finally tackle and solve this deadly problem affecting India's farmers. As India's chapter of the Global Snakebite Initiative we are building up local partnerships, collaborating with national and international experts in the fields of herpetology, venomology, health and social science, and, of course, are always on the look out for donor agencies to support the work being done, even in the most remote parts of the country.

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Everything You Need To Know

Why is snakebite such a big problem in India?

Snakebite is a significant public health crisis in India, especially in rural areas, because of the presence of numerous venomous snake species. Encounters between humans and snakes often occur in agricultural zones. The 'Big Four' snakes—the spectacled cobra, Russell's viper, common krait, and saw-scaled viper—are particularly dangerous, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Even though a polyvalent antivenom exists, its limited availability and insufficient public awareness contribute to a high death toll. This creates an urgent need for accessible treatment and widespread education.

What is the Madras Crocodile Bank doing to help with snakebites?

The Madras Crocodile Bank/Centre for Herpetology (MCB) is taking steps to mitigate snakebites through a comprehensive project. This includes venom sampling and research to improve the effectiveness of antivenoms, mapping snakebite treatment centers to ensure they are accessible, and conducting nationwide awareness campaigns to educate people about snake identification, avoidance, and first aid. By focusing on these key areas, the MCB aims to reduce the incidence and severity of snakebites.

What role does the Madras Snake Park play in addressing the snakebite crisis?

The Madras Snake Park, established in 1969, plays a crucial role in educating the public about snake identification and avoidance. The park informs visitors how to recognize and avoid the few snake species responsible for the majority of fatalities, deformities, and traumas. This knowledge empowers individuals to take preventive measures and reduces the risk of snakebites.

What are the main components of the Madras Crocodile Bank's snakebite mitigation project?

The snakebite mitigation project consists of several important elements. It begins with education and awareness programs in the most affected Indian states, targeting schools and community venues. It continues with venom sampling in collaboration with the Gerry Martin Project and the Evolutionary Venomics Laboratory of the Indian Institute of Science, with the purpose of characterizing venoms and testing the efficacy of Indian antivenoms. The project also includes mapping snake occurrences through a partnership with IndianSnakes.com to track the distribution of medically important snake species, and identifying treatment centers that stock antivenom and have experienced clinicians available 24/7.

How can I get involved in helping to prevent snakebites in India?

Students, doctors, and wildlife activists can join the fight against snakebite by connecting with the Madras Crocodile Bank's snakebite mitigation project. The World Health Organization designated snakebite as an A-list Neglected Tropical Disease in 2017, leading to increased efforts to tackle the problem. Opportunities for involvement include building local partnerships, collaborating with national and international experts in herpetology, venomology, health, and social science, and supporting the work of donor agencies, even in remote areas.